Recent Auto-Bicycle Accident Turns Deadly in Cook County

Bicycling in your neighborhood or to work should be an enjoyable, stress-free activity. But for a man in Cook County, Illinois, and for thousands of other bike riders, careless or negligent drivers can cause a serious injury or death. In late July, a 79-year-old man was cycling two blocks from his home in suburban Maywood when he was hit by an automobile shortly after 8 p.m. Within an hour he passed away at Loyola University Medical Center.

According to BIKESAFE, most automobile-bicycle accidents occur in the summer months of June, July, and August between 5 and 9 p.m. Through its case studies, BIKESAFE, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation, found that auto-bicycle accidents are most often caused by a driver who:
fails to yield at an intersection light
fails to yield at a stop sign
drives out mid-block or mid-driveway
turns left or right into a bicycle path
tries to overtake a bicycle

An estimated 53,000 injuries occur every year from auto-bicycle accidents and two percent of them are fatal. Cyclists must be mindful to wear helmets, obey traffic laws, and be aware of vehicles around them. In urban areas in and around Chicago, cyclists also have to be cautious with drivers going high speeds. Poor sight distance, speeds that make it harder to brake quickly, and traffic jams can increase the chances of an accident. Injuries can also occur when bicycles ride next to parked vehicles and a door is opened unexpectedly. And in the case of the Cook County senior, riding at dusk and into the night hours can cause visibility problems. Cyclists should be sure to use rear reflectors, pulsing lights, and other bright gear when they ride at night.

Automobile-bicycle accidents can cause serious brain injuries, even when cyclists are struck by vehicles going 35 mph or less. Back and limb injuries are also very common. When an accident like this occurs, the driver’s car insurance is responsible for your medical expenses. The Chicago bicycle accident lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg have helped many accident victims recover compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, future care, and lost wages. They are also experienced in guiding loved ones in a wrongful death lawsuit. Their team of Chicago accident attorneys works with the top experts for your medical planning and the accident reconstruction part of your case.

The law firm of Briskman Briskman & Greenberg represents injured people throughout Illinois, including Chicago, the Chicagoland area, Joliet, Waukegan, Cicero, Evanston, Arlington Heights, Wheaton, Bolingbrook, and Naperville, as well as other cities within Cook County, Will County, DuPage County, Lake County and McHenry County. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg also represents injured people throughout Wisconsin, including Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Madison.